Esperine
PearEsperine
Origin / History
Raised by Van Mons. Hedrick: from an undated seed bed; first reported in 1826. Dedicated by Van Mons to Major Esperin, of Malines (Downing); Hedrick spells the name Espéren and calls him "the enthusiastic and distinguished pomologist of Mechlin."
Tree
Vigorous, productive (Downing).
Fruit
Size: Large.
Form: Pyriform (Downing); obtuse-ovate (Hedrick).
Stem: Medium, set with a lip or inclined (Downing).
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Segments open, short, half erect (Downing).
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Greenish yellow, red in the sun, shaded and specked with cinnamon russet (Downing); yellow with greenish tinge, clouded with tender rose on the side of the sun (Hedrick).
Dots: Much dotted with greenish-gray-russet (Hedrick).
Flesh and flavor: White. Buttery, melting, very juicy, and sweet (Downing); semi-melting, full of juice, sugary, vinous, refreshing, perfumed (Hedrick). Quality "Good to very good" (Downing); "first" (Hedrick).
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
October and November; Downing gives October alone.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Hedrick cites Ann. Pom. Belge 4:73, fig., 1856, and Downing, Fr. Trees Am. 759, 1869. Downing's entry carries the authority mark "(S. V. M.)".
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 1 catalog (1900)
- Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)ESPERINE
This variety originated with Van Mons, and by him was dedicated to Major Esperin, of Malines. Tree vigorous, productive.
Fruit large, pyriform, greenish yellow, red in the sun, and shaded and specked with cinnamon russet. Stalk medium, set with a lip or inclined. Calyx with open, short, half erect segments. Flesh white, buttery, melting, very juicy, and sweet. Good to very good. October. (S. V. M.)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Esperine.
- Ann. Pom. Belge 4:73, fig. 1856. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 759. 1869.
By Van Mons from an undated seed bed; it was first reported in 1826 and dedicated to Major Espéren, the enthusiastic and distinguished pomologist of Mechlin. Fruit large, obtuse-ovate, yellow with greenish tinge, much dotted with greenish-gray-russet, clouded with tender rose on the side of the sun; flesh white, semi-melting, full of juice, sugary, vinous, refreshing, perfumed; first; Oct. and Nov.